The General Epistle of Barnabas Chapt 14 – 15
The Way of Light
From the 14th Chapter of the Epistle of Barnabas the Apostle, and fellow-traveler of St. Paul the Apostle.
5 Now the way of light is this: If
any one desires to attain to the place
that is appointed for him, and will
hasten thither by his works. And the
knowledge that has been given to us
for walking in it, to this effect: Thou
shalt love him that made thee: thou
shalt glorify him that hath redeemed
thee from death.
6 Thou shalt be simple in heart, and
rich in the spirit. Thou shalt not
cleave to those that walk in the way
of death. Thou shalt hate to do any-
thing that is not pleasing unto God.
Thou shalt abhor all dissimulation.
Thou shalt not neglect any of the
commands of the Lord.
7 Thou shalt not exalt thyself, but
shalt be humble. Then shalt not take
honour to thyself. Thou shalt not
enter into any wicked counsel against
thy neighbour. Thou shalt not be
over confident in thy heart.
8 Thou shalt not commit fornication,
nor adultery. Neither shalt thou
corrupt thyself with mankind. Thou
shalt not make use of the word of
God, to any impurity,
9 Thou shalt not except any man's
person, when thou reprovest any
one's faults. Thou shalt be gentle.
Thou shalt be quiet. Thou shalt
tremble at the words which thou hast
heard. Thou shalt not keep any
hatred in thy heart against thy brother.
Thou shalt not entertain any
doubt whether it shall be or not.
10 Thou shalt not take the name of
the Lord in vain. Thou shalt love thy
neighbour above thy own soul,
11 Thou shalt not destroy thy
conceptions, before they are brought
forth; nor kill them after they are born.
12 Thou shalt not withdraw thy
hand from thy son, or from thy
daughter; but shall teach them from
their youth the fear of the Lord.
13 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods;
neither shalt thou be
an extortioner. Neither shall thy
heart be joined to proud men; but
thou shalt be numbered among the
righteous and the lowly. Whatever
events shall happen unto thee, thou
shalt receive them as good.
14 Thou shalt not be double-
minded or double-tongued; for a
double tongue is the snare of death.
Thou shalt be subject unto the Lord
and to inferior masters as to the representatives
of God, in fear and reverence.
15 Thou shalt not be bitter in thy
commands towards any of thy
servants that trust in God; lest thou
chance not to fear him who is over
both; because he came not to call
any with respect of persons, but
whomsoever the spirit had prepared.
16 Thou shalt communicate to thy
neighbour of all thou hast; thou
shalt not call anything thine own: for
if ye partake of such things as are
incorruptible, how much more
should you do it in those that are
corruptible?
17 Thou shalt not be forward to
speak; for the mouth is the snare of
death. Strive for thy soul with all thy
might. Reach not out thine hand to
receive, and withhold it not when
thou shouldest give.
18 Thou shalt love, as the apple of
thine eye, everyone that speaketh
unto thee the Word of the Lord. Call
to thy remembrance, day and night,
the future judgment.
19 Thou shalt seek out every day,
the persons of the righteous; and
both consider and go about to exhort
others by the word, and meditate
how thou mayest save a soul.
20 Thou shalt also labour with thy
hands to give to the poor, that thy
sins may be forgiven thee, Thou
shalt not deliberate whether thou
shouldst give; nor having given,
murmur at it.
21 Give to everyone that asks so
shalt thou know who is the good
rewarder of thy gifts.
22 Keep what thou hast received;
thou shalt neither add to it nor take
from it.
23 Let the wicked be always thy
aversion. Thou shalt judge with
righteous judgment. Thou shalt
never cause divisions; but shalt make
peace between those that are at
variance, and bring them together.
24 Thou shalt confess thy sins; and
not come to thy prayer with an evil
conscience.
25 This is the way of light.
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